Detective Joe Stone and his team investigate a major terrorist attack on one of London’s most iconic buildings. They soon draw up a list of suspects who are highly respected members of the community and government. When most of his team is attacked, it soon develops into a war of nerves and a race against time before a deadly weapon is unleashed with horrific consequences.
Title: Long Shot
Author: Jack Steele
Published By: Amazon Media
Publication Date: August 2017
Author Q & A with Jack Steele
Welcome to Sincerely Book Angels blog.
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
Richmond Park! It was during a weekend visit to London that we explored the Park and I discovered Poets Corner and King Henry’s Mound. A telescope on the mound allows an unimpeded view to St Paul’s Cathedral due to it being protected by planning designations. An idea formed in my head that someone could view the Cathedral from here with sinister intentions.
It wasn’t until a conversation with a work colleague that things began to develop further. He is interested in Conspiracy Theorists and their reasoning behind an event. When aliens have caused a volcano to erupt or a celebrity has been replaced by a look-alike then I have to say I have my doubts. However, when he claimed that a government was involved in a cover up or a terrorist act is not the extremist organisation we are led to believe then I listened to his viewpoint. I’m not saying I agree with it but these two factors were the inspiration behind Long Shot.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I always wanted to be an actor! I loved Drama at school. The only problem was the nerves before going on stage. Yes I did all the techniques…slow deep breaths …thinking that the adrenaline will create the best performance blah blah blah ...but I hated that sweaty shaky nausea feeling.
So other than Drama, English was also a favourite lesson at school. I could escape into a great book and write my own stories without the stage fright. The only time my pulse would quicken was when I was fighting alongside Aslan the Lion in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis or running from Trolls in Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
I joined the Puffin Club at school and the local Library to feed my appetite for books. Watching TV shows and movies filled my mind with other stories and soon I found that I could forget about being a Thespian and instead concentrate on writing stories instead.
What other jobs have you had?
The only other job I have had since leaving school was in the Printing Trade. I started at 16 with an Apprenticeship and studied in Cambridge which was fascinating. It was at a time before computers came in and totally turned the trade upside down. I learnt the art of compositing, where each letter or character was hand-picked from a type case and then assembled in a composing stick. Letterpress Printing can still be seen in places like Blists Hill Victorian Town near Ironbridge in Shropshire.
I still work in the trade as a Printer so it has become a balancing act to be able to write, research and market my books while holding down a full-time job.
How did it feel when your first novel was published?
Amazing! It was a combination of years of research and actually getting the story that had been rattling inside my head for years, down on paper. I always intended to write a series so within the books I have several strands running some of which will be resolved as each new title is published.
I also felt relieved. I had written the first book, Loose Cannon, which was still with my reading group, prior to publication. At the same time I watched a Crime Drama series on television that was set in London. In one scene they were outside a building (it was where my detective lived!) and in another scene they were in the same pub I used! I thought this is too close for comfort so when I published the book it was finally out there and I couldn’t be accused of copying!
Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story.
I know it is similar to other authors I have met. Write a story- have it edited – send it to a couple of publishers/agents – not what we are looking for at this time – look into self-publishing – seek advice - publish.
What other books have you written?
I have a few unfinished books of other genres which I may return to one day but the two published books I have written are Crime Thrillers ‘Loose Cannon’ and the sequel ‘Long Shot’
Have you ever had writer's block? If so how did you overcome it?
So far I have been extremely fortunate not to suffer writer’s block. If I feel that a scene needs more tension, for example, but I can’t express in words what I am trying to convey then I leave it for a day or two and return with it all worked out. I remember asking one author how he would cope with writer’s block and the answer was simple, just go down the pub.
What motivates you to keep writing?
When the reviews came in for ‘Loose Cannon’ asking for another book by Jack Steele, I was delighted. It certainly gives you the drive to write another and I have to thank everyone for their kind comments and reviews. The Crime Fiction Community is so supportive and friendly and I always look forward to meeting friends new and old at the get-togethers.
Where is your favourite place to write?
I sit at a table in the dining room looking out at the garden. It’s all very peaceful and enables me to concentrate without any distractions.
Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa?
If I sit down to write a gritty or gruesome scene then I guess my mood does change. I get into character (the wannabe actor in me) and a darker side takes over. I remember all the movies I’ve watched or the books that I’ve read that made me feel happy, sad, angry or mad.
What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
If you would love to write but can’t seem to find the time then I would remove all the obstacles possible. Back in the day my leading distraction was Sky. I would watch a sport that I didn’t really have that much of an interest in and then I would complain to myself why watch this when I could be doing something more productive. If family or friends are taking up your time then get into a routine when you have 2 hours to yourself to sit down and write. Some writers have notes others just tap away as soon as they are at a keyboard. It’s whatever works best for you.
Secondly I would join social media to network and interact with other writers. There are numerous Book Club Groups on the internet that have discussions and interviews with other writers. I often ask questions on how they manage to write their books whenever I want to compare notes. Many directly message me with my thoughts on subjects and I love this interaction.
Thirdly join a reading group and thrash around ideas with others. I have a great group who offer advice and comments on my books that are both interesting and informative.
Which authors inspire you?
James Patterson, Martina Cole, Stephen King, Dan Brown… the list goes on. Every time I read a book I feel inspired in different ways.
What are you reading at the moment?
K.L.Slater’s Blink. I was lucky enough to meet Kim at a recent book signing and we had a brief chat about books and our favourite authors. We both live in Nottinghamshire so I am sure we will bump into each other again sometime soon.
If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits?
That would have to be Karl Jenkins’ Palladio. In Loose Cannon I pictured a car travelling to an area of London with the passenger sitting on the rear seat checking his gun. The landmarks of London would be reflected on the windows as they neared their destination. The music starts off gentle but soon builds to a climax as the car pulls up outside ready to act out his evil intentions.
I used the music for a short video clip on my website www.jacksteeleauthor.com
Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book?
Ryan Phillipe would play Detective Joe Stone. There is a scene in Loose Cannon when he enters a coffee shop and has a conversation with the barista. …
Carl made for an empty sofa while I waited in line to place our order.
‘Hi Joe,’ smiled the waitress, ‘The usual?’
‘Yes please.’ I was amazed that she had remembered me, ‘you have a good memory for names.’
‘It’s the blond curly hair and the blue eyes’; she replied, ‘you remind me of Ryan Phillippe.’
I nodded as if I knew the person, but I really didn’t have a clue who he was or how she made the connection.
I have watched many of his movies and recently ‘Shooter’ a series on Netflix.
What is your next book about?
Long Shot is the sequel to Loose Cannon. Here is the blurb…
Detective Joe Stone and his team investigate a major terrorist attack on one of London’s most iconic buildings. They soon draw up a list of suspects who are highly respected members of the community and government. When most of his team is attacked, it soon develops into a war of nerves and a race against time before a deadly weapon is unleashed with horrific consequences.
And now think about the books you've read and just give the first one that comes into your head for our quickfire 'Which book round.'
Which book has made you:
Laugh out loud?
Peter Kay’s The Sound of Laughter
Cry your heart out?
The Green Mile by Stephen King
Want to read it again?
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
Think more?
Lord Of The Flies by William Golding
Wish it would be made into a film?
Long Shot by Jack Steele
Shocked?
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Scared?
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King.
Thank you so much for joining us on our blog today and good luck with the book.
Sincerely
Book Angel x
About the Author
No comments:
Post a Comment